WSB SPONSORS:

Question for you: Should the West Seattle Car Show continue?

(WSB photo from last September’s West Seattle Car Show)
Though it was not by any means his only community project, the annual West Seattle Car Show was the creation, pride and joy of the late neighborhood advocate and entrepreneur Michael Hoffman, who died suddenly last month at age 47. Two West Seattle businesses are looking at whether to take it on – but first, they want to know your thoughts. If you can please take a moment to comment:

Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks would like to know from the community of West Seattle your thoughts on the annual West Seattle Car Show. Should the car show continue? Do you think that it brings and enhances a sense of community, and does it benefit our local businesses? Would it be missed if it did not continue? Your thoughts and feedback are very important to us – thanks!

The car show’s been held in The Junction in late summer each of the past six years; we’ve been a co-sponsor each year (and should note that both businesses mentioned above are WSB sponsors). Here’s our coverage from last year.

It is a great community event, small enough in scale to walk around with the kids (unlike the massive Greenwood car show), but large enough to draw in a good diverse collection. Please keep it going. My family and I love coming to it.

Any reason to close the street for families, friends, etc. to get together and share a moment. It’s great for the community. Besides all of that, what the other commenters above have stated, I echo their sentiment.

I would love to see the car show continue. It brings in a nice crowd of pleasant folks whom appreciate the hard work the car owners put into their cars. It would be a great way to continue to honor Mr. Hoffman.

It’s a great Car Show, seems to be quite popular, and has become a West Seattle tradition. West Seattle already lost the Alki Car Show a few years back, and to lose this one as well, would be sad for our Community.

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Also, I think keeping it going, would be a wonderful way to honor Michael. Perhaps one of the Awards issued could be named in his honor.

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I, personally, would be eternally grateful to Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks, and of course all the other Sponsors and folks involved in bringing it to us, if it indeed continues.

I am a car guy and have showed cars there since the inception, when it has not rained. I would like to see the car show continue, but have two thoughts that I would like to see considered. One, I would like to see them consider moving it to Alki on the promenade. And second, I think they should consider moving the date to July or August. The third week of September you can’t count on the weather being nice, and this show has had it’s share of rain, sometimes downpours, and at least for a portion of the day on a couple of years. There are a number of car guys/gals that just won’t take their cars out in the rain, or a threat of rain. Also, this is a great community event, however, some more thought should go into what might make this event better for those who show their cars. Since the cars are what draws the people to the show, and without the cars, you don’t have a car show. JMO.

I have worked at Talarico’s for almost 8 years and I’d like to express my deepest condolences when hearing of Michael Hoffman’s passing. I first met Michael when I needed a couple Happy Hour menus and karaoke slips. What can I say?? His great attitude and service was out of this world! Liberty Bell; being the destination for high quality, fair priced (often delievered) prints of literally anything. His customer service and positive attitude will always be remembered and adored. In my opinion, we should not only rock the car show every year, but rename it the HOFFMAN CAR SHOW until the end of time.

I am a car girl and have shown a car there before, but only when it’s a non-rain day. As @jdana24 mentioned above, many folks can’t bring their vehicles on poor weather days. Moving the date is a good idea just to have a better chance of nice weather and more participants. I think the two businesses would be great to take this on, and while it is a lot of work, there are lots of people that love to volunteer for these events who love the neighborhood and sense of community it helps build. I’m all for keeping it!

I don’t show my cars, but I agree with jdana24. I’m a big car enthusiast and would love to see the show continue, I just think the dates moving into late July and early August could greatly benefit from weather. The 3rd weekend in July is statistically the sunniest day of summer. I think a bigger crowd would come see the cars at Alki, but then you’d need to block off a section of Alki.
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Do the Junction businesses benefit from the car show? If so, maybe keep it in the Junction. I’d like to see businesses there benefit from the foot traffic and not see less business.
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Having an award in memory of Mike Hoffman would be a nice gesture and keep him in the heart of the show.

Absolutely, the car show is fun. Just need to find a nice sunny weekend. Last years rain deterred us from going. It would be great to bring in a celebrity car like something from Gas Monkey Garage or a Foose car.

Events like this are great for the community, whether businesses ale more money or not. It should be about bringing the community together which it seems like this one is. I question moving it to Alki though. I think it would lose the community feel if done in July/August.

Absolutely, keep the car show! Maybe tie it to the timing around the West Seattle Sea fair(sp?) Parade or the 4th of July. More people might attend if the event was tag teamed with the food trucks and provide shuttle transit to it.

Yes. It’s a great event. The timing is fine. It’s a bit after all the other local events and the size and scope help attendance. Having it on Alki would have logistical issues and if you’ve lived here more than a week you have to know weather tends to do what it does. Always. If you would like to see the show continue, do what you can to support it.

Regarding the time of year/weather; Admittedly, when the Junction Car Show started, I had reservations about it being in September, (and this is from the perspective of a non-participant, so I’m not the one out there having to buff out my ride after each passing shower).

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However, the issue has been discussed before. Here is a link to last year’s “Three Weeks to Go” Article from here on WSB, where WSB addresses the issue in the Comments section, including links related to the weather during previous years’ Shows:

Michael also responded, I believe just about every year, to peoples’ concerns of the September weather issue. His comments may even be among those in the links WSB provided, in what I linked above. If nothing else, typing “Junction Car Show” (with the quotes) into the “Search WSB” box, top right of this page, will bring up a bunch of results, so finding at least one of Michael’s comments should be easy. I recall him mentioning that the time of year had been a consideration, but holding in the June/July/August time frame, has it’s own concerns, namely “competition” from other Car Shows in the Region, and other Summertime Events in general.

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Anyway, I understand it from the perspective of those that want to show their Pride and Joy, but don’t take it out on rainy/potentially rainy days, and I respect that. I’ve hung out with friends over the years with Hotrods and ridden shotgun with them to many Shows, so understand the Pride that is taken in caring for their cars, and keeping them clean.

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Of course, weather around here can be unpredictable, and surprisingly unseasonable at times (potentially 85 today, on May 1st?!?). Heck, a couple years ago the Morgan Junction Festival was pretty trashed by unseasonably crappy weather in May or June, where we expected the weather to be more Summer-like, than Winter-like. So, in a nutshell, weather around here is a total crapshoot, although I’ll concede that July/August rain, is generally warmer than mid-September rain. ;-)

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Also, please keep it in the Junction. Not only better bus access for those of us that don’t even have a Daily Driver, but for those non-participants that are driving to the Show. Finding a parking spot around the Junction is tough enough, especially with the temporary loss of spaces to to the street closures for the Show, but it much worse down on Alki.

Most definitely yes. Michael was so happy and pleased to set this up. It would be a shame to shut it down. We believe he would want it to go on in his memory and for the enjoyment of all. Perhaps have a special sign: “The car show continues on in memory of Michael”or something like that.

our family loves the car show and we’ve gone all of the last 6 years (even the year it was raining!) and I love that it is in September, after all of the major summer events that draw our attention. (right ? it’s usually in September?)

I know that the Junction business owners have been split on this issue, with many objecting strongly. This event would be better held in a parking lot where the exhaust from these older cars isn’t pouring into their stores and restaurants (I’ve been there near the close of the show and it was terrible). I’d rather have the farmer’s market in the street — like during the harvest festival — all summer long.

I have come to really enjoy this small scale, neighborhood event. The show IS missing some food trucks or perhaps a bit more of a tie – in to the restaurants in the Junction. Maybe even involve other Automotive businesses. As for the September time frame – I understand the rain thing, but I don’t think you’d get much in the way of participation earlier unless you tried to make it a real premium show – and then it would lose it’s character. As for the naming of the show – keep West Seattle Junction in the title. Name the awards after the founder – it will avoid confusion. It seems to me that there must be a way to make this happen and to make it better than ever.

Gotta also throw my vote in to say: please keep in the Junction. I think more people walk there than to Alki, and even if they don’t, it’s still easier to park on the Junction. And if it benefits other businesses, all I can say is, we usually walk through the car show, have breakfast at a local joint, then wander through the show some more.

I am certain it’s a lot of work — do you need volunteers? Let us know what you need.

Love the car show, we go every year, though you might want to think about moving it to a more consistently sunnier time of year.

And I’m still laughing about that “Ask the developers” line, but if the developers putting up buildings in West Seattle lately were in charge, the entire show would be nothing but Chevy Chevettes, AMC Pacers, and Chrysler K-cars.

Please keep the car show. I love walking down the middle of the street for the one day, and showing my kids the old cars. It’s a great history lesson. We enjoy seeing the old garbage trucks, mini-cars, campers, hot rods, and every other type of car at the show. Rain or shine, we walk it. It is a wonderful way to remember Michael. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He printed many things for the non-profit I work for over the years, even after he moved out of the store front. The car show, and his many contributions were a great asset to the community. Let’s keep the memory alive.

I’ve never been, never really considered it, but judging from the comments I read here I would now love to go. Count me and my family as yes votes to see this tradition continue. Also, as many have stated, what better way to honor a man’s memory than this. Isn’t that what we all want: to be remembered and have our good works continue after we are gone?

Absolutely keep the car show! I have entered my cars several times and I have friends from all over Seattle who enjoy visiting West Seattle for this event. As previous posters have stated, you do not have to be “into” cars to enjoy the show and appreciate their beauty. This is a family friendly community gathering.
I think the Junction is the best spot for it, as the area affords better accessibility than Alki.
I would definitely agree with previous posters that considering scheduling it in August would be great. The turn out at the last couple of years show has been declining because the weather always seem to be iffy. Classic car guys spend hours, if not days, detailing their cars. The thought of having them sit out in the rain is a big deterrent to participating.
I would think the Junction merchants would benefit from a well attended (July/August) show during the daytime on a Sunday.

Yes please keep it going I’ve gone to it for the past 3 years 2 of which I brought my car…and being that I live in west Seattle I love the few car shows that go one close yo home and I am hoping to continue going to the west Seattle car show for years to come

This Is An Amazing Event. How Often Do We All Get To Show West SeattleS Beautiful Collection Of Classics? I Also Do Believe Its beneficial FoR THe Busniesses Just Like The StreeT Fair, Its Another Oppuruntity For The Busniesses To Promot Themselves And Products

Yes please keep it going. I am a new resident of W Sea although a long time visitor. Last year was the first car show we attended and loved it. One of the many great things about West Seattle. Thanks for considering taking it on and for gathering feedback.

Keep it! Expand it! Embrace it! A great showcase of West Seattle Pride.
I love admiring cars that locals have put so much time, effort, money,and love into. It gives a real down-home feel to downtown W. Seattle for one day out of the year. I see all of my friends and neighbors and have an excuse to talk to proud car owners. Plus I usually see a model of every car I’ve ever owned and even some I rode around in as a kid (once we sold the buggy).
A great education for kids who may have never seen these cars before (“Son, those are built in ash trays. All cars had them back then”).
Unique!

Hi, that’s my car in the picture. We do not live in West Seattle, and the car show there was the first time I had even known there was a West Seattle. My daughter and I have fallen in love with the Junction, and the local businesses BECAUSE the car show brought us there. We come, we spend our money, and we tell everyone how cool West Seattle is!!! I was so shocked and sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, knowing how much effort he put in to this show. AT LEAST one more as a memorial of sorts!

miws, although I appreciate your comment about the weather being a crap shoot, there are actual stats that backup the validity of a sunny warm/hot day in the 3rd weekend of July. :) Check out 120 years of data for late July. http://www.komonews.com/weather/faq/4308877.html
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I’ll concede that in the past few years we’ve had major shifts in weather patterns causing massive destruction outside of our state.

The car show is great. I enjoy looking at the different cars and talking to all the people that I meet. Even if it rain’s it gets a good turn-out cause what’s a little rain in Seattle? Love this show. Please stay.

A definite Yes vote for continuing the WS Car Show. Having worked with Michael on 3-4 of them, I know how much work is involved, but it is such a fun community event. There were reasons it couldn’t be earlier in the summer due to conflicts with other events happening in and around the junction.
For the folks coming to any car show, these cars represent countless hours and countless amounts of $$….. Please leave your dogs at home!! Just sayin’!

kind of a silly question…of course the car show should continue! What better way to encourge people to get to know each other, lure kids away from video games and exercise, get folks from other neighborhoods into west side business. The only reason not to have it is laziness.

Late to the party, but for this diehard car guy, count another “yes” for the show staying and “yes” for it remaining in the Junction, where people can actually get to it (it’s hard enough working with Alki in the summer when there ISN’T a big event going on). I’ve been to many car events great and small all over the country, and I really like the feel, accessibility, and lack of attitude at our WS show.